Mikhail Galuzin, the Russian deputy FM, on Wednesday told RTVI the west was “unhappy” with the “pragmatic policy” of the current Georgian Dream authorities, claiming Tbilisi protests earlier this month against the foreign agents bill aimed at “sparking unrest”, “forcing” the authorities to “more actively support Ukraine” and “cutting ties” with Moscow. 

"We are convinced the further normalization of relations between Russia and Georgia, united by common history and culture, intertwined with the fate of millions of people, will fully correspond to the interests of the peoples of our two countries," Galuzin said.

The official representing the country occupying 20 percent of Georgian territories, also said relations between Moscow and Tbilisi were developing primarily in the trade and economic sectors, following the decision of the Georgian Dream Government to restore economic cooperation with Moscow in 2013. 

He noted the efforts of both states "to ensure the continuous functioning of the only operational highway” between them was an example of "successful cooperation".

"On the Georgian side, the road infrastructure is being modernized, including the construction of a tunnel under the Jvari pass, [while we are working] on the expansion of the Zemo Larsi checkpoint. Actions on both sides of the border are coordinated in a bid not to reduce the capacity of this transport artery," said the deputy FM. 

Galuzin stressed security issues in the South Caucasus remained in focus of the two countries  that, as he sad, were discussed “in a multilateral format with the participation of Abkhazia, Georgia, South Ossetia, Russia and the United States under the co-chairmanship of the European Union, the United Nations and the OSCE.”, in reference to Georgian occupied regions and the Geneva International Discussions on Georgia’s conflicts.